Get ready for winter activities with a little crossfit with Allen, yoga at Inner Mountain and dance with Weehawken! Ouray, Colorado, we have it all!

Miss a feature? The campground host is leaving soon after Labor Day and the season is coming to a close. Fees will not be required for use of Thistledown or Angel Creek Campgrounds from September 14 through late May 2010. The campgrounds will remain open, but no services will be provided and the toilet will be locked. Self-containment should be heavily promoted. Barring that, campers should walk several hundred feet into the forest (away from the creek, campground, roads, and trails) and bury human waste in catholes at least 6 inches deep. This is difficult to do in lower Canyon Creek and there is a lot of private property in the area, so, again, self-containment and removal is strongly preferred.

The six portable toilets further up the canyon will be removed for the season on September 15.

The toilet at Na-gach Day-Use Area, next to Amphitheater Campground, will remain open for an extended season through October. This is the nearest USFS toilet, located just above the City of Ouray.

Fall Activities:

VISITOR CENTER HOURS as of Sept 1-30.

Monday – Wednesday 9-6

Thursday – Saturday 9-5

Sunday 10-4

September 10:Living with Wildlife, "Living in Bear Country," Two Videos, Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m., Ridgway Community Center, free monthly series sponsored by San Juan Corridors Coalition, information 626-4496.

The weekend of September 10 - 13 will provide plenty of opportunity for area residents, railfans and history buffs to experience the railroad heritage of the San Juans as the Ridgway Railroad Museum presents the ninth annual Ouray County Railroad Days. This educational event celebrates Ouray County's world famous railroad history with a variety of events for everyone from the most serious railfan to new residents with an interest in the unique history of the area.

Sunday, Sept 13: Barb Wade is expanding her graphic design business to include a line of stationery and greeting cards. To celebrate the launch of her new line, Indigo Paper Goods, she would like to invite chamber members to an Open House on Sunday, September 13th from 2-5pm. 102 Spruce Ct. (bottom of 5th Ave.) 325.4123 for more info.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 Oil Painters of America (OPA) 5th Annual Great Paint Out, Ouray, Colorado 8am-8pm All PAAC Members and other artist are invited! Hostess: Romagean Personne 970-325-0270; romagean@agogallery.com Paint at a private ranch with lunch served; paint in town in afternoon with opportunity to sell. Dinner will be available. All costs must be paid by September 1st!

October 3, 2009: 45th Annual Jeep Raffle Drawing and Oktoberfest celebration! Beer, Brats and Bavarian Music: Return of the popular Bavarian band, The Austrian Connection!!!!!!!! Ouray Community Center 5-10 pm! Join us for spectacular San Juan Mnt Color then stop in for an evening celebration with live music, local brews and more!

Sponsored by the Ouray Chamber Resort Association.

Restaurant Info:

Declaimer: This is information that restaurant members have asked OCRA to share with other members. This is a consolidated list or reports and has not been solicited.

The Bistro at Billy Goat Gruff's will be opening for lunches at 11am, Thursday-Sunday. Our lunch menu will feature our fabulous burgers, salads and appetizers, as well as our slow-smoked BBQ Ribs. If you are looking for a great gathering place outside, try the Biergarten, which opens at 11am daily, and offers our indoor seating area with pool table, shuffleboard and foosball.

Are you Gluten Free or is your diet as such?

-Spangler House B&B- Call ahead and let them know (vegan and gluten free)

-Ducketts Market : has lots of available products which are wheat and gluten free. We are also open to bringing in new Wheat free or Gluten Free products on your faves list. Let us know we always welcome your feedback and we're all about happy tummies. 970-325-4397

-Ago Gallery has a new cook book that has 200 gluten free recipes in it as well as art work by Romagean. This book will be for sale through Ago Gallery and San Juan Pottery.